February 27, 2007
The revenge of the Hetch Hetchy
I made a passing quip about the Hetch Hetchy reservoir the other day, the signature battle that flooded a valley reputed to be even more picturesque than Yosemite and in large part kicked off the environmental movement. It turns out that that history has important ramifications for the San Francisco 49ers' plans for a new stadium in Santa Clara: The pipeline that brings water from the reservoir to San Francisco runs under the proposed stadium site, and the land above it is still owned by the city of San Francisco.
As if the prospect of having to bargain with their current landlords for the right to land that would let them move out isn't unpleasant enough, the 49ers owners could face other headaches as a result of the pipeline, according to the San Francisco Chronicle's Phillip Matier and Andrew Ross:
Susan Leal, the agency's general manager, said the pipes are scheduled to be dug up and replaced starting in 2009 or 2010 as part of the Hetch Hetchy system overhaul -- with the work stretching two or three years. That would mean running up against the Niners' self-imposed 2012 deadline for the stadium's first kickoff.
Asked whether the pipeline presents problems for the team's stadium plans, Leal said, "I think that's a question for them.'"
Niners officials publicly downplayed the pipeline issue, as did S.F. city officials, who are still trying to negotiate with the team to remain in town. But one anonymous city official told Matier and Ross called the pipeline news "unbelievable leverage for us. It's quite remarkable.'' That's what John Muir said.
